FOPO Committee Report

RECOMMENDATION 1

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada update its estimate of the cost of bringing the core harbours to an acceptable state of repair.

RECOMMENDATION 2

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada prepare a plan to bring the core harbours to an acceptable state of repair.

RECOMMENDATION 3

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada incorporate a requirement for maintaining safe facilities when preparing its plan to bring the core harbours to an acceptable state of repair.

RECOMMENDATION 4

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada ensure that there are adequate funds in both its operations and maintenance, and its capital budgets for recurrent dredging and related activities. The amount of this funding should take into consideration the increasingly stringent environmental standards and regulations that apply to these activities, especially with respect to the protection of the fish habitat.

RECOMMENDATION 5

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada adopt a longer-term approach to solving dredging problems that could be addressed by permanent structures such as breakwaters.

RECOMMENDATION 6

That, where there is a need to dredge beyond the harbour basin and the entrance channel for which the Small Craft Harbours Program is responsible, Fisheries and Oceans Canada coordinate with the authorities responsible for dredging these waterways to ensure safe access to the harbour at all times.

RECOMMENDATION 7

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada help Harbour Authorities to recognize and respond to the local effects of climate change.

RECOMMENDATION 8

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada analyze harbours scheduled for divestiture or decommissioning, with a view to identifying those that could remain in the department’s inventory and be maintained because of their value as safe havens in case of bad weather conditions.

RECOMMENDATION 9

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada assist Harbour Authorities with the development of short-term and long-term business plans as well as capitalization plans.

RECOMMENDATION 10

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada assist Harbour Authorities in their efforts to raise funds from other sources, including federal, provincial, and private sources.

RECOMMENDATION 11

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada assist and encourage Harbour Authorities to establish partnerships with local organizations where possible.

RECOMMENDATION 12

That the limit on contract signing authority for Harbour Authorities managers be increased from $40,000 to $200,000 for minor capital and repair projects, and that, where possible, priority be given to hiring local enterprises to do the approved work.

RECOMMENDATION 13

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada streamline the review and approval process of Small Craft Harbours projects to ensure that projects be approved, announced, and tendered by June 1^st, where possible, and

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada provide clear and transparent accounting of funds related to project costs and administrative costs associated with the department or Public Works and Government Services Canada.

RECOMMENDATION 14

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada review and modernize the Fishing and Recreational Harbours Act and its regulations to reflect the current management reality of small craft harbours. In particular, definitions of “Harbour Authority,” “derelict,” and “harbour manager” should be included or updated.

RECOMMENDATION 15

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada consider legislative changes to facilitate the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels from its harbours.

RECOMMENDATION 16

That the Government of Canada honour in a timely manner its financial commitments to undertake environmental remediation projects needed prior to harbour divestiture.

RECOMMENDATION 17

That the Government of Canada recognize the heritage and cultural attributes of fishing harbours as well as their tourism and economic value, and

That the Government of Canada allow Harbour Authorities to be eligible to receive financial support from federal economic development agencies for projects intended to take advantage of those attributes.

RECOMMENDATION 18

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada review the mandate of the Small Craft Harbours Program to acknowledge that, while it primarily provides harbours that are open, safe and in good repair for the commercial fishing industry, harbours are used and managed for other purposes, including those of recreational and Aboriginal fisheries, commercial sport fishing and emerging sectors such as aquaculture.

RECOMMENDATION 19

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada facilitate access to federal
non-DFO wharves through interdepartmental agreements when local harbour users identify a need that cannot be otherwise accommodated by the neighbouring Small Craft Harbours infrastructure.

RECOMMENDATION 20

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada work with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to improve their coordination in establishing and maintaining harbour facilities in Aboriginal communities.

RECOMMENDATION 21

That Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirm its objective to construct all the harbours identified for small communities in Nunavut.

RECOMMENDATION 22

That the Department review the assessment of harbour needs for communities such as Arctic Bay, Grise Fjord and Resolute.